Nic Chien says he learned about his parents' separation through a rude fan comment on Instagram

Nic Chien has opened up about the separation of his parents Lea Salonga and Robert Chien. 

During his guesting in “Fast Talk With Boy Abunda” on Friday, the young star shared how he found out about his parents’ separation.

Reflecting on his mother’s revelation in January, Nic said he was “a little” surprised that she spoke openly about their separation.

“[I was surprised] a little. At the same time, not, because it had been a long time coming and it's honestly about time that she talked about it and I'm very glad she did,” he said.

According to the “Into The Woods” star, he found out about his parents separation when he was only 14 years old. 

“I had my own Instagram where I posted my artwork," he began, and turned sarcastic in describing the fan who left a comment in one of his posts.

"Some ‘lovely person’ went to the comments and in all caps said, ‘Nicole, I’m so sorry that your parents are divorced. God bless your mom. I’m so sorry',” he recalled. 

“What the hell. I had no idea that they had split. I was bawling my eyes out, and my boyfriend at that time, and one of my best friends were asking, ‘what’s wrong with you?’”

Nic asked his father about it shortly after, who admitted to being separated from Lea. 

“I texted him, ‘what’s going on?’ and he said, ‘I’m very sorry you found out like that. But yes, me and mom are separated. We want you to know that it’s very hard. The conversation was long and very difficult for us. And it’s not your fault',” Nic said, saying it was a long time coming.

According to Nic, he noticed his parents' relationship was a little different from his friends' parents. 

“Even as a kid, I had a feeling that my parents were not as affectionate with each other. I noticed that and I thought it was normal — that's all I knew. But when I see my friends' parents kiss each other, hold each other in certain ways and you see your parents don't really do that, you know,” Nic said. 

Despite the separation, Nic emphasized their family relationships remain strong. When asked how his relationship with his dad is, Nic said "great." It was the same answer he gave when asked how the relationship between his mom and dad is.

His dad is currently in a relationship and Nic took the opportunity to sing praises for his step mom, whom he described as a "wonderful lady."

"I'm glad this is on TV so I can say for the record that she's a wonderful lady,” Nic said.

“I care about her and I love her. And my dad and her make a lovely couple," he added.

The "Spring Awakening" actor expressed how he wants both his parents to be happy "and they're happy to be separated."

Tito Boy asked Nic if he ever asked Lea about her love life and he answered in the affirmative.

"I did speak to my mom about her having a boyfriend, but I don’t think she wants one," Nic said.

"I think she’s very content with where she is right now,” he added.

“Who am I to tell her, ‘find a man’? She doesn’t need one. She’s perfectly independent. Apparently, I’m the only man she needs in her life," he said.

On "Fast Talk," Nic tackled a variety of topics including how he came out as transgender to his mom. 

In April 2025, Lea and Nic opened about his transition journey on People magazine. In the article, Nic said he knew he was trans at age 14.

He began taking testosterone in January 2025 and underwent top surgery in September 2025. 

—Jade Veronique Yap/LA, GMA Integrated News